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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 20, 2005 Essentially Ashland Contemporary art gallery with long downtown history By Lance K. Pugh For the Tidings I had just finished meeting with some friends downtown and was getting ready to head home when I felt with nagging concern that I was missing something important. I checked my pockets, leafed through my yellow legal pad, then looked at the front page of the Daily Tidings. It was Friday's edition and this was the first Friday of the month. Silly me. I had almost missed the First Friday Art Walk that allows me an excuse to enjoy some conversation and walk to many of the fine art galleries around town. My mind now in mirth mode I took a short jaunt to Judy Howard's den of delight, where visuals are always enticing. Judy defines the artistic level to which we all strive to attain, so the visit only served to remind me that I should drop by with greater frequency, lest I find myself some day, devoid of the still sensitive nature I once possessed, wandering amidst alley dumpsters while wondering what is sacred and what is sacked. In the monthly festival that the First Friday Art Walk has become, no tour of Ashland's myriad top-quality art galleries is complete without a careful inspection of all the contemporary fine art offered at the Hanson Howard Gallery at 82 N. Main St., just downstream from the Plaza. Judy Howard, whose maiden name is Hanson, worked for the Medford School District from 1966 to 1978, first teaching art then becoming the director of the art curriculum for the entire district. In 1979 she moved into the E.V. Carter House, located next to the new fire station, which shares a common driveway with Cucina Biazzi. Her business partner, Glen Northcross, remodeled the house and soon Judy opened the Hanson/Howard Gallery in one half of the first level, sharing the balance with Bloomsbury Books, which later moved downtown in 1983. Judy partnered up with Marie Baxter in 1985, then moved downtown to her current location in 1987, which formerly housed Casa Del Sol, a pottery studio and gallery. The building was being renovated to accommodate both Judy's gallery and another Beasy McMillian creation, Thai Pepper. Renovators Lloyd Haines and I figured out how to legally exit the back deck onto Blue Bird Park and incorporated the stairways and walkways to accommodate the Rogue Brewery and above it, Lithia Creek Arts. Over time Sue Hart became a partner, then in 1999 Barbara Tupper came onboard, becoming a driving force in the constantly changing look that makes the gallery so fresh and inviting. The space in white and open, which drives the eye to the pieces on display. "We're able to choose art that has a lasting quality," said Judy, "though often with a sense of whimsy." Judy is surrounded by art and people that she cares about as confirmed by her smile and twinkling eyes. Her energy is seemingly endless and has extended into serving on the Oregon Arts Commission. Her opinions are sought, her friendship cherished. I walked out of the gallery and stopped to look at the creek that churned, slapped and frolicked below, thinking of the years of renovations decades ago. I reflected upon how the town had changed over time and what pressure and stress will be placed and flexed to convince us all that we have become Carmel, Calif., this to our great distress and regret. With the historical perspective resolved, I went back home and looked at some exceptional paintings hanging on my walls, this from purchases at Judy's gallery over time. I poured a glass of wine and opened my mind to the prospect of how Ashland will grow while keeping true to it's history. Stay tuned. You may reach the gallery by browsing to www.hansonhowardgallery.com or calling (541) 488-2562. Upcoming exhibits are as follows: April: "Above and Beyond" Jon Jay Cruson, Adrienne Husum and John Dowling May: "Metaphoric Figures" Three visiting painters and Sculptor, Wataru Sugiyama June: Denise Kester and Richard Fox July: Jamie Newton, painting and sculpture August: Robert C. DeVoe Future columns will focus on many downtown businesses that have helped make Ashland unique. Nimbus, Alex's, Brothers and American Trails will lead the charge from decades ago to lend perspective to the revival of the Downtown. Send your favorite remembrances to: [email protected]. Drop by my blog and help me figure things out: http://essentiallyashland.blogspot.com/ DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Free Music Downloads Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks Heloc Mortgage Calculator FREE Entertainment Guide Calenders 2006 Calendar Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress tcg student loan consolidation Home Equity Loans teleconferencing W2 Forms cortisol; weight loss Diamonds Futures Broker Bad Credit Loans Auto & Personal Loans Search Engine Optimization Free Home-Loan Referrals Sportsbook Website Design & Marketing Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Security Systems Helzberg Diamonds Currancy Exchange Online Casinos Community Student Loans Bonus Casino Poker Games ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Mailing Lists Mystery Shopping Jobs Debt Consolidation Loans Canadian Pharmacy Air Purifiers Click Here .:Advertisements:. 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